Float



Oct; 27, 1931. w. E. RAWLINGS 1,828,983

FLOAT Filed Aug. 27, 1930 /Y YEA 79R A TTo/Z YE/ Patented Oct. 27, 1931,

UNITED STATES WILLIAM E. 'RAW'LINGS, OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIIEORLTTA- FLOAT Application filed August 27, 1930. Serial No. 478,105.

This invention relates to a float, and particularly to a means for propelling the same. It is one object of the invention to provide a float that will comfortably accommodate several persons, providing both a seat and foot rest therefor, and one that will permit collapsing of the foot rest for storingv the device or for permitting it to be moved more rapidly over the water.

It isalso an object to provide a device of the characterindicated provided with a propelling means detachably mounted thereon, and to provide a propellingmeans that Wlll be exceptionally economical to manufacture, strong, durable, and highly efficient in its practical application. a

In the drawings :a

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of F igure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail of one of the catches for holding the foot rest in position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on line 44 of Figure 2.

In the embodimentof the invention shown, 11 indicates two spaced parallel buoyant members, and 3 indicates a seat member disposed midway therebetween, with foot rests indicated at H.

The foot rests and the seat are su ported on the buoyant members by means 0 a pair of rods as5, each rod having its ends over lying the two members 11 and held in place by suitable means as staples 6 whereby to permit a pivotal movement of the rod. The intermediate portion of the rod is shaped in general like the letter W with seats at 7 for foot rests 4, and a middle seat at 8 for the seat member 3.

' ,VVhen in use the rods are held in the position shown by any suitable meansas a spring catch 9, and when the rods 5 and foot rests 4 are swung up into a position parallel with the seat to permit the device to be moved rapidly through the water they are held by spring catches at 10.

The device is propelled by a device com prising a handle 11 passing through a slot 12 in seat 3 and pivotally mounted thereon by aremovable transverse pin shown at 13. The portion of the propelling means in the water comprises a rectangular frame 14 having opposed vertical grooves 15 in its side parts, and a-series of slats'16 horizontally pivoted therein to swing as shownin Figure 4. lVhen swung as indicated by arrow 17 water passes freely therethrough, but when swung as indicated b arrow 18 the slats swing into a'vertical p ane overlapping as at 19 and prevent passage of the water whereby to impart a forward impulse to the float.

It is to be understood, of course, that while I have herein shown and described-but one specific embodiment of the invention, changes v inform, construction, and method of assembly and operationmay be made within 7 the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A float comprising a plurality of spaced parallel buoyant members, W shaped suspen sion bars pivotally mounted thereon, a seat member and footrest members mounted on the bars, means for locking the bars in a given position, and means for propelling the float.

WILLIAM E. RAWLINGS. 

